Bowness-on-Windermere is the main tourist centre for the South Lakes area of Lake District National Park. It sits on the shore of Windermere lake within the boundaries of the historic County of Westmorland. In 2011, it had about 3,800 permanent residents.

Understand

Lake Windermere at Bowness.

"Windermere ought to be seen both from its shores and from its surface. None of the other Lakes unfold so many fresh beauties to him who sails upon them. This is owing to its greater size, to the islands, and to its having two vales at the head, with their accompanying mountains of near equal dignity. Nor can the grandeur of these terminations be seen at once from any point, except from the bosom of the Lake." – William Wordsworth in Guide to the Lakes.

Get in

By train

It is about a mile from the Windermere railway station which links to Oxenholme (near Kendal) on the west coast main line. One can walk, if one likes, from Windermere station to Bowness. Alternatively, buses are available every 20 minutes from the railway station to the ferry jetty. Taxis are also available. If there is a group of 4-5 people, taxis may be economically more viable, because buses would cost almost as much.

By ferry

A car ferry operates daily (except 25, 26 Dec) from Far Sawrey, running M-Sa approximately every 20 minutes between 6:50AM and 8:50PM, starting Su at 9:10AM on, and with later sailings in summer. Cars £4.20, pedestrians 50p.

Get around

• The main attraction of Bowness-on-Windermere is the ferry. The most popular and widely used service is from Bowness-on-Windermere to Ambleside. The ferry trip is an experience of a lifetime, offering a faboulous ride across a wonderful lake. Tickets are available for an one-way trip or a return trip. Some people prefer to return by ferry, others move ahead from Ambleside to other places such as Rydal Mount, Grasmere, or Keswick, or even return from Ambleside to either Bowness-on-Windermere or Windermere town by bus or taxi. There are a number of other ferry trips.
• Bowness Taxis, 1 Lake Road, Bowness-On-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3AP, Telephone +44 15394 46664.
• Abacus Taxis, ☏ +44 15394 88285. 

See

• Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake.
• St. Martin parish church built in 1483.
• 1 Stott Park Bobbin Mill, Colton, LA12 8AX (9 miles south of Bowness), ☏ +44 1539 531087. A mill built in 1835 that made wooden bobbins for thread. adults £6.40, children £3.80, concessions £5.80.  

Do

• Boat rides on the Lake (Windermere).
• Visit the Glebe for a picnic on a sunny day.
• Lakeside aquarium. Access by ferry or train.
• Visit the Beatrix Potter Museum.

Buy

Shopping for touristy things as well as luxury chocolates and icecream.

Eat

There are numerous small eateries around the ferry jetty offering all types of fast food. Try the fish and chips. However those who prefer to go to a proper place to eat may try out one of the following and numerous other restaurants.

• Stefans Bistro, ☏ +44 15394 43535. 
• Villa Positano, ☏ +44 15394 45663. 
• The China Boat, ☏ +44 15394 46326. 
• Rastellis, ☏ +44 15394 44227. Italian 
• Jade Delight, ☏ +44 15394 42825. 
• Nissi Restaurant, ☏ +44 15394 45055. 
• Rumours Pizzeria, ☏ +44 15394 44382. 
• Jacksons Brasserie, ☏ +44 15394 88488. 
• Messinas, Bowness, ☏ +44 15394 88488. 
• Jintana Thai Restaurant, ☏ +44 15394 45002. 
• Linthwaite House, ☏ +44 15394 88700. 

Drink

Almost all restaurants and hotels have bars.

Sleep

The place is full of hotels and lodges many of them offering bed and breakfast options. Some prefer this place to Windermere, which is not on the lake. However, even if one stays in Windermere, it takes just minutes to reach the lake.

• Best Western Burn How Hotel, ☏ +44 15394 46226, fax: +44 15394 47000. Tariff £45-85 per person per day. It also offers vegetarian food. 
• Beechwood Guest House, Beresford Road, LA23 2JG, fax: +44 15394 43403. Tariff £27-55, extra during holidays/ weekends. 
• Belsfield Hotel, Kendal Road, LA23 3EL, ☏ +44 15 3944 2448. Hotel opened in 1892 in a house built in 1845, and refurbished by Laura Ashley designers. rooms from £119, restaurant dinner £40 for 5 courses, brasserie mains around £15. 
• Elim Bank Hotel, Lake Road, LA23 2JJ, ☏ +44 15394 44810. Fine Victorian Lake District House offering a warm welcome, 7 en-suite bedrooms and excellent breakfasts. Tariff From £35ppn. 
• Meadfoot, New Road (main road between Windermere and Bowness), Windermere LA23-2LA, ☏ +44 15394 42610, fax: +44 15394 45280. Bed & Breakfast from £20 to £30 per person per night. 
• Laurel Cottage, St.Martins Square, Kendal Road, LA23 3EF, fax: +44 15394 45594. Bed & Breakfast from £26 to £45 per person per night. 
• 1 Lindeth Howe, Lindeth Drive, Longtail Hill, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3JF, ☏ +44 15394 45759. Victorian country house once owned by Beatrix Potter, now a stylish hotel with great setting and dining. B&B double £200. (updated Aug 2020)
• 2 Oakbank House, Helm Road, LA23 3BU, ☏ +44 15394 43386, fax: +44 15394 47965. Bed & Breakfast. from £85 per room per night. 
• Blenheim Lodge, Brantfell Road, LA23 3AE, ☏ +44 15394 43440, enquiries@blenheim-lodge.com. Bed and breakfast in rooms with Lake Windermere views. from £60. (updated Jan 2017)
• Craig Manor Hotel, Lake Road, LA23 2JF, ☏ +44 15394 88877. Country hotel overlooking Lake Windermere Rooms from £79 per night. (updated Jul 2019)
• Fairfield Garden Guest House, Brantfell Road, LA23 3AE, ☏ +44 15394 46565, fax: +44 15394 46565, tonyandliz@the-fairfield.co.uk. Bed & Breakfast from £29 to £40 per person per night. 
• Fair Rigg Guest House, Ferry View, LA23 3JB, ☏ +44 15394 43941. Tariff £32-40 per person per night. 
• The Willowsmere, Ambleside Road, Windermere (on A591 300 yards from town centre), ☏ +44 15394 43575. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 10.30. Traditional Lakeland Guest House, Family run warm welcome £32-55. 
• 3 Lindeth Fell, Lyth Valley Road, Bowness LA23 3JP (on A5074), ☏ +44 1539 443286. Wonderful upscale B&B in hillside country house with pleasant gardens. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £210. (updated Jul 2020)
• Ryebeck Hotel, Lyth Valley Road, Bowness LA23 3JP (on A5074 opposite Lindeth Fell Hotel), ☏ +44 15394 88195. Smart hotel in Arts & Crafts style country house with good restaurant. B&B double £160. (updated Aug 2020)

Go next

• Grasmere - small village a few miles from Bowness. Birthplace of William Wordsworth.
• Ambleside
• Kendal (England) - large town 20-30 minutes from the village with a vibrant shopping district.